2012 Natural Areas Academy workshops and field trips

The following workshops and trainings are offered to members of the Natural Areas Academy. You will receive instructions on how to sign up for these programs once you become a registered member of the Natural Areas Academy.

Saturday, March 3, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Natural Areas Academy Orientation

The entry point for all Natural Areas Academy participants is to attend an orientation session. Here you will learn more about the Natural Areas Academy, Cornell Plantations as a whole, our natural areas management practices, and the many ways in which you can learn and be involved.   This session is mandatory for all Natural Areas Academy Members. 

 Location: Nevin Welcome Center in the Botanical Garden, Ten Eyck Room (second floor).

Wednesday, March 7, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Project BudBreak

David Weinstein, a senior research associate with the Department of Natural Resources, will show you how you can participate in a citizen science network for observing changes in native plant phenology, the timing of plant growth, in response to climate change.  As a citizen scientist, you can collect directed stewardship hours on your own through Project BudBreak throughout the year, while connecting to local seasonal changes and contributing to the growing knowledge of global climate change impacts.

Location: Nevin Welcome Center in the Botanical Garden, Ten Eyck Room (second floor).

Instructor: David Weinstein

Saturday, March 10, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Monitoring

Cornell Plantations and the Department of Natural Resources will host a workshop aimed at training volunteers to identify and report new hemlock woolly adelgid infestations. This newly arrived invasive insect pest threatens hemlock trees and the biodiversity they support, causing a cascade of environmental changes for some amphibians, fish, invertebrates, birds, and plants in response to the increased light and warmer temperatures. The workshop will feature a presentation by Mark Whitmore on the adelgid’s biology and the threat it poses to local hemlock forests. Participants will visit Beebe Lake to observe hemlock woolly adelgids first-hand and gain experience in detection, monitoring, and reporting protocols. Participants will also have the opportunity to volunteer in the “Adopt-a-Hemlock” program to conduct surveys and report new infestations in local hemlock forests. Directed stewardship will take place after this workshop from 11 a.m - 2 p.m. led by Zeb Strickland.

Location: Lewis Building Classrrom (2nd floor) in the Botanical Garden

Instructor: Mark Whitmore

Thursday, April 5, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Worker Protection Standard

This class is offered through the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Occupational & Environmental Health and is required by an EPA regulation. The training is designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers from the risks of exposure to pesticide residues.  You will not be handling pesticides through Natural Areas Academy, so it is not required, but this is a private class for us to be informed of pesticide safety and usage.  During directed stewardships, you will have the opportunity to help in areas where pesticides will be applied by our licensed applicators following Integrated Pest Management (IPM). 

Location: Nevin Welcome Center in the Botanical Garden, Ten Eyck Room (second floor).
 

Instructor: Eric Harrington

thursday, April 19, 1:00 P.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Plant Propagation Workshop

Learn how to successfully grow native plants from seed.  This workshop will teach you techniques and provide step by step instructions to grow native plants for use in habitat restorations and landscaping. Directed stewardship will take place on May 31st from  4:30-6:30 pm.
 

Location: Plantations Horticultural Center off of Caldwell Road

Instructor: Krissy Boys

Saturday, April 21,  1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Reading the Landscape

This workshop will be led by Peter Marks, Professor Emeritus of Plant Ecology at Cornell and author of the book, “Guide to the Plant Communities of the Central Finger Lakes Region,” to introduce concepts on natural history. In this guided field trip, you will learn how much information can be discovered about a tract of land by paying close attention to its plant species and forest features.

 

Location: Town of Caroline

Instructor: Peter Marks

Saturday, April 28, 9:00 – 11:00 A.m.

The Natural Heritage of the Fall Creek Valley

Understanding natural history, the effects of past land use, and the principles of ecology and conservation are a foundation for natural areas management. Join Plantations staff for a guided field trip to the Fall Creek Natural Area to learn about these principles and more.
Directed stewardship follow this workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Plantations Plant Propagation Facility in the F. R. Newman Arboretumoff of Forest Home Drive

Instructor: Jules Ginenthal

thursday, May 3, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Evening Wildflower Walk

Tour the woodland pathways and varied plant habitats of the Mundy Wildflower Garden. Spring is the season for experiencing delicate and ephemeral natives such as trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, bloodroot, and Solomon’s seal. These plants and many others native to the northeastern U.S., including several that are scarce and vulnerable to exploitation, are carefully managed in this natural area. 
 

Location: Mundy Wildflower Garden off of Caldwell Road

Instructor: Krissy Boys

Thursday, May 24,  7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Evening Wildflower Walk

Tour the woodland pathways and varied plant habitats of the Mundy Wildflower Garden. Spring is the season for experiencing delicate and ephemeral natives such as trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, bloodroot, and Solomon’s seal. These plants and many others native to the northeastern U.S., including several that are scarce and vulnerable to exploitation, are carefully managed in this natural area. 
 

Location: Mundy Wildflower Garden off of Caldwell Road

Instructor: Krissy Boys

Saturday, JUNE 2,  6:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.

Conserving Birds in Landscapes Dominated by Humans

Join Cornell naturalist, Charlie Smith, for a morning in Plantations Arboretum to learn about landscape management practices that support bird conservation.  The field workshop will also focus on bird identification tips, using both visual field marks and songs.  Dress appropriately and bring binoculars and your favorite field guide to birds.     

Location: Parking area near the ponds at the F. R. Newman Arboretum

Instructor: Charlie Smith

wednesday, June 13, 3:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Herbaceous Invasive Species Identification and Control

The invasion of aggressive, non-native plant species is a growing problem in conservation, often leading to the displacement of rare and endangered native plants. In this workshop, we will cover the identification of many of the common herbaceous invasive species, and discuss various control methods. This outdoor workshop will provide the groundwork for hands-on management activities later in the year, and the identification expertise necessary for monitoring and reporting invasive species.
Directed stewardship will take place on Saturday, June 30th from  9-11 am led by Zeb Strickland.
 

Location: TBD

Instructor: Todd Bittner

Saturday, June 23, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The South Hill Swamp Preserve and its rarities

This unusual hilltop is the closest thing to a pine barrens in central New York and has long been recognized as one of the most significant sites in the county for rare plants.  We will talk about the unique geology and ecology that make the site so special, and learn about some of the fire-adapted plants and plant communities.  We will also tour the Plantations Natural Areas holdings and see, among other things, the locally rare maleberry, Lyonia ligustrina, and dwarf cherry, Prunus pumila var. susquehannae.  Directed stewardship will take place on Thursday June 28 from 4:30-6:30 pm. 
 

Location: South Hill Natural Area off of King Road

Instructor: Robert Wesley

Saturday, July 14, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Native Seed Collection

Native seed collection is a fundamental component for successful habitat restoration projects in natural areas, particularly those that require local genetic material or rare and threatened native plant species. This hands-on workshop will focus on seed collection techniques that can ensure successful propagation.  You will learn how to locate
the plants and their seeds, as well as techniques to properly collect, clean, store, and sow seeds.  Directed stewardship will follow this workshop from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Plantations' Horticulture Center off of Caldwell Road

Instructor: Krissy Boys

Saturday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Trail Maintenance

Natural Areas are popular destinations for hiking and other recreational activities, but to protect these sites from use, proper trail maintenance is essential.  This hands-on workshop will cover the basics of assessing trail conditions and how to do routine maintenance. It will also be the springboard for volunteer group trail projects later in the year and for conducting trail assessments as a preserve monitor. Directed stewardship will follow this workshop from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: TBD

Instructor: Mike Roberts

Saturday, August 11, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Tools of the Trade

Knowledge of tools and how to use them is essential for natural areas managers.  Tools can make work easier and more fun when used properly.  This hands-on workshop will introduce some of the more common as well as a few uncommon tools used in natural areas management.  Participants will be instructed in the proper use and care of hand tools and are encouraged to bring in some of their favorite tools from home. Directed stewardship will follow this workshop from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: TBD

Instructor: Jules Ginenthal

Saturday, August 18, 10:00  a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Keeping a Field Notebook 

"The palest ink is better than the best memory." has been identified as an "old Chinese proverb."  Whether its attribution is correct or not, the saying conveys a very important message for those of us who study living nature outdoors.  Even in the age of computers and other digital devices, keeping a detailed and accurate written account of where you are, along with what you see and do, still has value.  This workshop will discuss various materials and methods for writing and keeping field notes.

Location: Nevin Welcome Center in the Botanical Garden, Ten Eyck Room (second floor).

Instructor: Charlie Smith

Saturday, September 8,  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Rain Gardens

What can you do to help our streams?  You can create a rain garden- a shallow, vegetated depression that collects, absorbs, cools, and filters the stormwater runoff before it reaches our waters.  Stormwater from impermeable surfaces is redirected through dry creek beds, vegetated swales, or drain pipes into beautiful rain gardens designed with native plants, that once established require little to no maintenance.  Rain gardens are an inexpensive, relatively simple way to do our part in keeping our waters clean while simultaneously adding value and beauty to our yards.

Location: Nevin Welcome Center in the Botanical Garden, Ten Eyck Room (second floor).

Instructor: Nikki Cerra

Saturday, September 22, 9:00 – 11:00 A.m.

Woody Invasive Species Identification and Control

 The invasion of aggressive, non-native plant species is a growing problem in conservation, often leading to the displacement of rare and endangered native plants. In this workshop, we will cover the identification of many of the common woody invasive species, and discuss various control methods. This in class and outdoor workshop will provide the groundwork for hands-on management activities later in the year, and the identification expertise necessary for monitoring and reporting invasive species. Directed stewardship will take place following this workshop from Directed 11 a.m. -1 p.m.  led by Zeb Strickland.

Location: TBD

Instructor: Todd Bittner

saturday, October 13, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Guided Field Trip: Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve

Understanding natural history, the effects of past land use, and the principles of ecology and conservation are a foundation for natural areas management.  Join Plantations staff for a guided field trip to the Edwards Lake Cliffs Natural Area to learn about these principles and more. Directed stewardship will take place there on  Saturday, October 20 from 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

Location: Edwards Lake Cliffs off of Teeter Road

Instructors: Todd Bittner and Robert Wesley

Saturday, november 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Bark! Learning to recognize trees by their bark.

Knowing trees by their bark is critical for land managers, particularly here in the Northeast where trees don’t have leaves for a large part of the year.  Bark is always present, and within the context of size, age and other conditions, it is highly diagnostic. This hands-on workshop will cover the basics of identifying trees by their bark, including color, texture, pattern, and the physiological process that gives rise to these traits.  The workshop will also cover fruit, twigs, branching patterns, and other gestalt characteristics to aid in species identification.

Location: TBD

Instructor: Robert Wesley

Saturday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Landscaping your Property with Native Plants.  

Winter is the perfect time to plan for next year’s landscaping!  This workshop will take you through the steps of designing your landscape, including: site analysis, site design and creating a master plan focusing on diagrams, zone-design, and basic design concepts and details.  We will combine some of the ecological system knowledge you have gleaned through Natural Areas Academy with some landscape design basics to help you create native habitat in your own yard.  Bring your ecosystem knowledge and design ideas.

Location: Nevin Welcome Center in the Botanical Garden, Ten Eyck Room (second floor).

Instructor: Nikki Cerra